4/5/1988 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Discussion ensued regarding the possibility of using the old landfill on 4th Street and Old Dixie Highway as replacement property. Public Works Director Jim Davis preferred that the Board not consider purchasing any of the regional parks that are presently identified in our new Tong -range parks plan as replacement land for the cemetery because we could run into some problems in getting federal grants to develop that property. Chairman Scurlock suggested that since the property on Old Dixie Highway is an old landfill and structures could not be built on parts of it, perhaps we could make it into a walking/ jogging trail which would fulfill the recreation requirements, and the Commissioners agreed that staff should check out the landfill as a possibility for replacement property for the cemetery. Reverend Leon Blanton, member of the Cemetery Association, expressed his appreciation for the Board's dilemma in this matter. He noted that although the commitment was made back in 1976, it has been working since 1974. At that time there was extensive discussion about the County having control of the cemetery as to who would be buried there, and whether there should be a limit of two plots to a family, etc. That was fine with.them, because all they wanted were free burial plots for everyone. He stressed that no one has every been refused burial at Winter Beach Cemetery. Reverend Blanton also remembered that at that time Commissioner Bird felt the County should be true to their commitment in this matter. They appreciate the Board's dilemma, but it seems that this problem continues to get buried. Because of the commitment the Board made back then, they did not purchase other property tor their purposes, and now there is no way they could afford to purchase the property at its present value. Commissioner Bird felt that what Rev. Blanton was hearing today from the Board is a reaffirmation of the County's 47 APR 51988 a()OK. 71 PACE 477